Teaching in English: is Denmark up to the challenge?

The Copenhagen Post recently published an opinion piece on whether Danish schoolchildren would benefit from being taught in English.

Recent articles on the status of English in Denmark indicate that not only is English here to stay, it is necessary for Danes in a globalised world.

Research suggests English is not about to overtake Danish as the national language. Dialects may die off, and Danish may be bastardised by the adoption of English words like ‘f*ck’ and ‘sh*t’ becoming accepted Danish words.

Danes enjoy speaking English and are comfortable with it, so why not adopt English as the other language of use in Denmark?

Why prevent state schools from teaching motivated able pupils, in English, in all subjects just because of the paranoia of Dansk Folkeparti. Their future studies and jobs will require a high level of spoken and written English, and it is best learnt in school as early as possible. This is exemplified by bilingual communities within Denmark and Europe.

So if linguistic ability is a prerequisite for functioning positively within a society, is it not essential for Danes to be well prepared for a future in which English will be essential?

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